Strand wrapping machine



April 19, 1938. E. G. PARVIN STRAND WRAPPING MACHINE vFiled March 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Edward G. Pam 11 mm mm April 19, 1938. E. G. PARVIN 2,114,400

STRAND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR Edward G. Par vn ATTORNEYS A ril 19, 1938.

E. G. PARVI N STRAND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 1, I937 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 dward G Parv m 1N VENT OR.

ni S

ATTORNEYS April 19, 1938. E. G. PARVIN 2,114,400

' STRAND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 To rela INVENTOR. Edward GParVin UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

STRAND WRAPPING MACHINE Edward G. Parvin, Roselle, N. J., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Syncro Machine Company, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 1, 1937, Serial No. 128,384

23 Claims.

- This invention relates to improvements in machines for applying wrapper coverings to heavy strands.

. More specifically, an object of the invention is 5 to provide a machine for'applying an insulating covering composed of a plurality of adjacent abutting or overlapping helical convolutions of a strip of insulating material onto a heavy trical conductor.

.Another object of this invention is to provide.

eleca synchronized mechanism by means of which the covering may be applied as a uniform helical wrap of either adjacent or overlapping convolutions.

An important object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of this type which will insulate extremely heavy conductors irrespective of crosssection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel interconnected motor driving connection for a mechanism ofthis type which will insure a relatively timed and synchronized movement of the strand in the direction of its length and the insulating strip to insure a uniform application thereof to the conductor.

A further object of this invention is .to provide an electrically interconnected motor drive SYS tem for the distributor which lays the finished product onto the take-up reel in uniform layers to insure a synchronous movement of the distributor for either direction of movement of the wire.

A more specific object in accordance with the above object is to provide a generator moving in timed relation with the movement of the wire,

which in turn operates the. distributor operating motor toinsure this timed relation.

These and many other objects, as will appear from the following disclosure, are successfully secured by means of this invention.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts, all in accordance with the following description.

.In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan View of one form of mechanism in accordance with this invention;

view

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figurel;

Figure 5 is -a circuit diagram of the motive power equipment for the machine and the trol mechanism therefor; and

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a portion of the diagram of Figure 5 showing that portion modified.

Presently known mechanism or machines for insulating relatively heavy electrical conductors larger than, for example, No. 18 wire, and particularly the larger sizes approaching bar or rod like form, are not entirely satisfactory in" use. For example, in the insulation of very heavy electrical conductors it has been found diflicult from a commercial viewpoint to properly feed the heavy conductors in the proper timed relation with respect to the feeding of the covering strip thereto to insure either abutting convolutions thereof or overlapping convolutions of uniform overlap. For example, at the present time in order to feed it, it is common to wrap it several times around the capstan wheel which pulls it. This is undesirable. Furthermore, present methods of feeding the wrapping strip do not make it possible to maintain the desired synchronism betwen the movement of the wire and strip. Among the broader objects of this invention are those of eliminating these diificulties.

An even greater difficulty with the present day insulating machines is found in the distributing mechanism which lays the finished product on to the take-up reel in uniform layers. All types of mechanical and electrical mechanisms have been devised for this purpose, none ofawhich have been entirely satisfactory. An important object of this inventionfis to provide a new form of drive for the distributor to insure its correct di- -rection of movement always synchronized with any movement of the wire in either direction. In a broad view this is accomplished by Drovidingan A. C. generator which is driven simultaneously with any movement of the wire to operate a motor connected thereto, which in turn operates the distributor motor.

The particular form of mechanism shown in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises any suitable form of framework forming a bed or support for the machine. At one end thereof is rotatably supported in suitable journals a supply reel 2 on which the strand, as'for example a wire W, to be covered iscoiled, The reel orfldrum 2 in normal operation is slowly revolved in a clockwise direction (Figure 2) resisted by the drag or tongue motor 4 connected thereto through the gear train 3. At 5 is a guide pulley over which the wire W passes to the serving head "I through the hollowshaft of the serving head motor 6. This mechanism is well known in the art in a number of forms, for example as shown in United States Patent No. 2,003,354, issued June 4, 1935. The details of construction of the serving head form no part of this invention. It is noted that as illustrated the rotating parts of the serving head are directly connected to the shaft of moor G for rotation therewith.

The wrapped or insulated wire IW coming from the serving head passes around a portion of the periphery of a large guide wheel 8 journaled on the frame and, if desired, grooved as indicated. The wheel 8 is caused to revolve by reason of its engagement with the moving wire IW. From the wheel 8 this wire passes over a portion of the periphery of wheel 9, rotatably supported, and from there it passes to and engages with a portion of a wheel I3 freely journaled on the base. The wheel 9 is mounted on a shaft which is rotated by means of a motor I2 through a gear train I I. The hand wheel I0 illustrates any suitable form of mechanism by means of which the wheel 9 may be locked to the shaft driven by the motor I2. When the hand wheel is released it frees wheel 9 of the shaft, so that it may be rotated independently thereof. Wheel 9 ispreferably provided with a covering or facing 9* of a suitable material such as rubber, rubberized fabric, and the like.

From the wheel I3, which likewise may be grooved as indicated, the insulated wire passes over a guide pulley I9 on a transversely movable distributor carriage '20. This carriage is slidably mounted on a pair of guide rods 28 and is threadedly engaged by means of a screw 2I rotatably mounted in suitable bearings. The threaded rod 2| is reversibly rotated by means of a reversible motor 26 through a gear train 21.

The wire IW then passes onto a take-up reel I4 journaled on the base I and connected through a gear train- I6 with a driving motor I5 which causes the reel to rotate in a clockwise direction. Figure 2. Connected with the shaft which drives the reel I4 through a gear train I I is a generator I8. Thus this generator is driven in timed relation with the movement of the reel l4.

On projecting arms on the carriage 20 are a pair of adjustable screws 22 and 24 which are positioned to engage and operate a pair of switches 23 and 25 respectively at the end of the movement of the carriage in each direction. The details of construction of these switches have not been given but they may be' of any suitable form which operate when engaged by the screws to momentarily close a circuit connectedthereto, but which again immediately open as soon as the screws move out of engagement therewith.

At 29 is an A. C. generator built into and as a part of the motor structureIZ to provide what may be termed a motor-generator, the rotors of the two being mounted preferably on the same axle.

The motors and control circuits therefor are illustrated in Figure 5. A multi-phase system is illustrated fed from the circuit wires 30 through a main switch" 3| which connects thewires 30 to the circuit conductors 32, 33 and 34. The single phase stator windings I8 and 26 of the generator I8 and the motor 26 are connected in series by means of the wires 35 and 36 across one phase of the power circuit comprising the wires 32 and 33. The operating winding 31 of relay A is connected to wire 35 at one terminal and at the other. terminal by wire 38 to one terminal of the operating Winding 39 of relay B. The other terminal of this winding is connected to wire 32 by wire 40. Wire 38, which is common to the windings 31 and 39, may be connected to wire 33 by means of a switch 4I so that these windings are connected across one phase of the power circuit when switch H is closed.

A magnet winding 42 is connected by wire 43 between wire 35 and one of the contacts of each of the pairs controlled by the movable contacts 44 and 45 of relay A. The operating winding 52 of relay G is connected by wire 53 between wire 35 and one contact of each of the pairs of relay A controlled by the movable contacts 41 and 48. The other contact of each of the pairs controlled by the movable contacts 44 and 48 are connected by wire 46 to one contact of switch 25. The other contact of each of the pairs controlled by the movable contacts 41 and 45 are connected by wire 49 to one of the contacts of switch 23. The other contact of the switches 23 and 25 are connected by a common wire 50 to the wire 36. At 5| is a pivotally mounted latch lever pivotally connected to the movable armature or plunger controlled by the winding 42 and positioned to engage the armature or movable plunger of relay G to hold it in the position shown in the drawings.

The multi-phase rotor windings I8 and 26 of the generator I8 and the motor 26 are connected with the four movable contacts of the relay G in a manner so that in one position of the contacts as shown these windings are connected in one direction and in the other position their connections are reversed.

The stator windings I5 of the motor I5 are connected to the polyphase circuit wires 32, 33 and 34, as are the stator windings 4" of the motor 4. The rotor windings I 5 are connected to a two-section resistance bank 54, a portion of which is adjustable, as indicated, by the movable contacts. In a similar manner the rotor windings 4b are connected to a two-section resistance bank 51, a portion of which is adjustable. The common terminals of the two sections of the resistance bank 54 are interconnected with the two pairs of contacts controlled by the movable contacts 55 and 56 of the relay B, so that the right hand section of the resistance bank is short-circuited when relay B is in the position shown.- In

a similar way, the commonterminals of the two sections of the resistance bank 51 are connected to the two lower pairs of contacts of relay B controlled by the movable contacts 58 and 59 so that the right hand section of the resistance bank 51 is short-circuited when the winding 39 of relay B is energized to interconnect the lower pairs of contacts. I

The primary 60' of a low voltage transformer is connected across one phase of the power circuit comprising the wires 32 and 33 as shown. This transformer has a secondary comprising the parts 59 and 50. One terminal of the portion 60 is rounded and the other terminal is connected to the operating winding GI of relay C, the other terminal of which is connected by wire 62 to the automatic stop switch 63, the other terminal of which is grounded. This stop switch forms a part of the serving head and is arranged to close should the insulating strip being applied to the wire break during the operation of the machine. One form of this switch as applied to serving heads is illustrated in the patent mentioned above. The relay C has a single movable contact which cooperates with a pair of fixed contacts. One of these contacts is connected by wire" 95 .to a normally closed switch 65. The other contact of this switch is connected to one contact of a normally open switch I2 and by wire 51 to the secondary portion 59 of the transformer. The other terminal is connected by wire 88 to one terminal of each 01' the time switches 18 and I9 and to one terminal of the operating winding 80 ofrelay F. Wire 68 is connected by wire 65 to one terminal of the operating winding III of relay D and to the contact of the relay D, which is connected by wire 1| to the other contact of switch 12. other contact of this pair of relay D is connected to the other contact-of relay C. Wire H is connected by wire 13 to a brake magnet winding 14, the other terminal of which is connected by wire "to wire 68 and to one terminal of the operating winding 16 of relay E. A suitable form of brake as employed with the serving head, of which the winding 14 is a part, is illustrated in the patent noted before. The other terminal of winding 80 is connected by wire 8| to one of the contacts of each 01' the time switches 18 and 80, and to one terminal of the operating winding of the time switch I8. The other terminal of the operating winding of time switch 19 is connected by wire to wire II and the other contact of time switch I8 is connected by wire 11 to the other terminal of winding 'IS.'

' Stator windings 29 and 6 of the generator 28 and the serving head motor 6 are connected in series across the power circuit wires 32, 33 and 84. The rotors 28 and 6* thereof are connected together as shown. The stator ll! of the motor I 2 is connected across the power circuit wires 32,

33 and 34. The rotor is connected to a two-section resistance bank comprising the portions 82 and 83, of which the portion 82 is adjustable. One Set of terminals of the portion 82 are connectible together by the two lower movable contacts of relay D when it is operated. Likewise, one set of terminals of the portion 83 of the resistance bank are connectible together by means of the pair of movable contacts of the relay F when its winding is energized.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. "It will be assumed that a strand or conductor to be insulated is threaded through the machine and attached to the take-up reel in the manner indicate in Figure 1. To set the machine in operation t e main power switch 3| is first closed. This energizes the stators 29 6, I2, I5 and 4 The rotor circuits corresponding thereto are however, by reason of the position of the various relays as indicated, in such condition that the machine does not operate. Similarly the stators l8 and 26 are energized. To start the machine in operation normally open start switch 12 is momentarily closed.- Current then flows from the secondary 59, which is preferably proportioned to deliver current at 100 to 125 volts, through switch 12 to wire H, winding 18, and back to 58 by wire 68. Relay D is thereby operated setting up a holding circuit for the winding 18 through the upper movable contact, relay C, wire 65, normally closed switch, and wire 61. The momentary closing of start switch 12 also supplied current by wire I3 to the brake coil 14,

wire 15, and wire 68. Thus the main brake on the serving head is released and held released because a holding circuit for. this brake coil is also set up through the upper contact of relay Thus this time switch begins to operate, and at the end of a predetermined period, say ten seconds, the switch thereof closes.

The

Prior to the closing of this switch, however, motor I2 is started in operation by the operation of relay D, the lower pair of contacts of which connect the ends otthe resistances 82 together, completing the circuit of rotor I2 All of the resistance of section 82 representing a maximum amount of resistance is shunted across the rotor circuit. Thus this motor starts up and attains a maximum speed corresponding to the value of this resistance. The rotation of motor i2 by the energization of its windings operates generator 29, which in turn immediately supplies current to the motor 6, so that the serving head immediately begins to apply wrapping to the wire W, which also immediately begins to move in the direction of its length when motor i 2 begins to operate. Motor I5 is energized causing the takeup reel M to rotate. At the same time motor is energized to exert a drag on the rotation of reel 2. This motor is really a torque motor in which the rotor is driven against the reaction of the stator followed by the withdrawal of the wire from the reel.

This device provides means for applying a substantially uniform tension on the wire which may be varied by adjusting the variable resistances 51 in the rotor circuit. The operation of the motor l2 causes the rotation of 'wheel 9, which by reason of its frictional engagement with the wire, effects a feeding movement thereof in a longitudinal direction. The operation of reel l4 contributes sufiicient pulling force to the wire so as to substantially counterbalance the braking action of the motor 4, so that the motor I! and drive wheel 8 merely supply the energy to efiect a movement of the more or less balanced wire. The torque exerted by the motor l5 may also be varied by adjusting the value of the resistance 54 in the rtor circuit. As shown, with relay 39 de-energized, which is its normal condition, the right hand portion. of resistance 54 is short circuited, and at the same time all of the resistance 51 is in the circuit as determined by the adjustable contacts.

As indicated in Figure 1, it will be assumed that the carriage 20 is moving downwardly towards switch 25, it having previously momentarily closed switch 23 to energize winding 52 to operate relay G to the position shown, the latch i holds it there. In this position the rotors l8 and 25 have been connected together for a direction of rotation of generator l8, and carriage motor 26 to operate the screw 2| to cause the carriage to move downwardly. The speed of rotation of the'reel I4 determines the speed of rotation of the generator l8, and hence the speed of rotation of motor 26. Any change in speed of rotation of reel M will effect through this interconnection a corresponding change in the speed of movement of the carriage 28, because of the series connection between the stators of the generator and the motor. By this arrangement a correct time movement of the carriage is insured. As noted above, and as disclosed in the patent mentioned above, a similar synchronized movement of the serving head 1 is eflected by reason of the series interconnection between the serving motor 8 and the generator 29.

The system operates as thus described until timeswitch l9 closes its switch. At this time winding 80 is energized, closing relay F to interconnect the ends of resistances 83. When this occurs resistances 83 in series with the portions of resistances 82 between the movable contacts and the rotor winding l2 are connected to the rotor l2; This represents a less amount of resistance than was in the rotor circuit when all of resistances 82 were in circuit. Thus the drive motor l2 increases its speed of rotation, thereby feeding the wire to the reel I4 more rapidly, with the resuit that the speed of motor I5 picks up, the load thereon being light; the increased speed of rotation of the reel I4 of course increases the speed of rotation of generator l8, and hence carriage motor 26, so that the distributor likewise speeds up the proper amount. The increase in speed of motor |2 increases the speed of rotation of the generator 29, which in turn causes the serving head motor 6 to operate the serving head at the new rate. Thus synchronism throughout is maintained to insure a helical wrap of insulating material with the convolutions abutting or overlapping without. variation.

At the end of a predetermined period of time, as for example ten seconds, the operating winding of time clock 18 closes its switch, which completes a circuit to the winding 16 of relay This relay operates to interconnect all of theadjustable contacts together of resistances 82, so that only those portions of that resistance between the adjustable contacts and the rotor I2 are in circuit. The motor |2 theref ore speeds up and all of the other equipment again speeds up as previously described. This represents the normal operating speed which can be initially predetermined by the position of the adjustable contacts of resistances 82. The machine is now in full operation. A

When the carriage 20 moves down so that switch 25 is momentarily closed a circuit is established from wire 33 through wire 36, wire 50, switch 25, wire 46, contact 44 of relay A, wire 43, winding 42, and wire 35 to wire 32. The energization of winding 42 moves latch 5| to a position to release theplunger of relay G. It immediately drops down to reverse the interconnections between the rotors It! and 26 so that the motor 26 immediately reverses its direction of rotation to drive the/carriage 20 in the opposite direction. The other operating conditions remain the same and the carriage returns towards the other end of its stroke. Switch 25 is only momentarily closed, so that .winding 42 is again deenergized. When the carriage moves over to close switch 23 ,a circuit is established to winding 52 from wire 33 through wire 36, wire 50, switch 23, wire 49,

contact 41 of relay A, wire 53, winding 52, and wire 35 to wire 32. When this occurs relay G is operated to again reverse the connections between the rotors I8 and 26 to start the carriage in the opposite direction. Latch 5| holds relay G in the operated position (the oTie shown) even though switch 23 is but momentarily closed.

The mechanism may be stopped in several ways. It is normally stopped by opening switch 66, which breaks the holding circuit 'to winding ll 01' relay d. Relay D then returns to theposition shown, at which time all circuits are killed and the apparatus stops. Simultaneously with the breaking of the circuit to winding 10, the circuit to the brake coil 14 is broken so that the brake is applied on the serving-head as shown in the above mentioned patent, immediately bringing it to a stop. The machine may also be automatically stopped by the closing of switch 63, the equivalent of which is shown in the above mentioned patent. This switch closes when the web web and the closing of switch 63, a circuit is completed from the low voltage secondary to the winding 6| of relay C. This causes relay C to open and break the holding circuit to winding III and brake coil 14, so that the machine stops as before.

A very important feature of this invention is the fact that the machine is reversible without disturbing the relationship of any of the parts. It is sometimes desirable to reverse the machine to run the wire backwards, and to do this without disturbing the relationship of the parts, and particularly the distributor. To do this it is necessary to energize motor' 4 to drive reel 2 and to energize motor I5 to convert it to a torque motor drag.

For reverse movement of the wire motor I2 is not used. The hand wheel I0 is released freeing wheel 9 on its shaft. The serving head of course is not operated during the reverse movement of the wire, and therefore it is immaterial that the generator 29 does not move as the wire moves. From a control viewpoint to efiect this operation hand wheel I0 is released and switch 4| is closed. The closing of switch 4| completes a circuit to the winding 39 of relay B. The operation of relay B takes the short circuit ofi of the right hand section of resistance 54 and places it on the right hand section of resistances 51. Thus the torque drag motor 4 becomes the driving motor for reel 2 and the driving motor l5 becomes the torque drag motor for reel l4. Motor 4 then causes the wire to move in a reverse direction. As this occurs generator I8 is rotated in a reverse direction.

Going back now the closing of switch 4| completes a circuit to winding 31 operating relay A.

The result is that the connections from the windings 52 and 42 to the switches 23 and 25 are reversed by the movement of the contacts thereof. Contacts 44 and 41 break the circuits controlled thereby, while contacts 45 and 48 make the circuits controlled by them. Wire 53 is then connected'to wire 46 instead of to wire 49, and wire 43 is connected to wire 49 instead of to wire 46. Switches 23 and 25 are then properly interconnected to control the windings 52 and 42 to reverse movement of the mechanism. The result is that the carriage continues to move even under these reverse conditions in exact timed relation with the movement of the wire and reels. The mechanism otherwise operates the same.

An important .feature of this invention is that as the diameter of the coil on reel l4 builds up the reel l4 of course revolves more slowly, and it is necessary that the carriage 20 move more slowly. This results because the slower movement of this reel effects a correspondingly slower speed of rotation for the generator I8, and hence the motor 26.

Amodified connection for a portion of this circuit is illustrated in Figure 6. This modified portion applies only to the connections for the motors l5 and 4. The circuit of Figure 6 shows a modification of the manner of connecting motors 4 and I5 to the power source to effect a reversal of functions when the machine is reversed. Except for these modifications the circuit remains as illustrated in Figure 5.

In Figure 6 the rotor I5 and the stator 4* are connected together by the contacts. 45 and 43 when the winding 31 is de-energized, and are shunted by the resistance I00. This is the normal connection for so-called normal or forward operation of the machine. With this arrangement the currents circulating in the rotor circuit I5 are delivered to the stator circuit 4- so that the motor 4' is energized under the control of the motor ll.

This insures that the drag torque on the reel 2 is properly proportioned in relation to the speed ofrotation of reel I4 and motor l5 to produce a correct corresponding drag torque. The fundamental or initial torque exerted by the motor 4' can be,varied as before by adjusting the resistances l! in its rotor circuit.

When it is desired to reverse the machine as previously described, switch 4| is closed, energizing the winding 31 by placing it across one phase of the power circuit represented by the wires 32 and 33, through the wires 35, 38, and 38", including switch 4|. Wire 38 extends as before to the winding of relay A, so that the necessary reversal of connections is efiected in the distributor motor generator circuit.

The energization of winding 31 operates relay B so as to separate the stator winding l and the rotor winding 4 from each other and to connect the stator 4 across the power circuit through resistance I50 by contacts 44 and 41. The disconnection of the rotor i5 from the stator 4eby the contacts 45 and 48 places the resistance I00 across the rotor l5 only. Under these conditions the torque motor 4' becomes a driving motor energized in a reverse direction, as will be seen, to cause rotation of the spool 2 in the opposite direction. At the same time the motor l5 becomes a torque drag motor acting on the spool or reel i4 to perform the function of maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the wire for its reverse direction of movement. In other words the motor l5 now maintains a substantially uniformtension on the wire, whereas previously, that is for normal operation, the motor 4' does this.

It may be here noted that in both of the systems shown the switch 4| is normally not closed for a very long period, but is intermittently closed to produce a sort of inching action, that is the wire is only moved in a reverse direction in relatively short increments corresponding to periods of closure of the switch 4 I. Thus this switch may be termed what is known as an inching switch:

From the above description it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is adapted to wide variation in the details of construction and arangernents of the parts and circuit connections without departure from the true scope thereof. I,do not, therefore, desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure as given for purposes of illustration, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in uniform layers, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator operated by movements of the take-up reel, and connections between the generator and motor whereby the distributor movement is govable with respect to the take-up reel, and meanserned by the movements of the take-up reel.

2. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a modriven by said motor for efiecting said movement of the carriage.

3. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a I

power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in uniform layers, a'generator operated by movements of the take-up reel, 3, motor for operating said carriage, connections between the generator and said motor, and means operated as the carriage reaches the end of its travel in either direction for reversing the connections between the motor and generator.

4. In a, machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding' the strand onto the take-up reel in uniform layers, a generator operated by movements of the take-up reel, a motor for operating said car riage, connections between the generator and said motor, and means operated by the distributor at the end of its stroke in either-direction to reverse the connections from the generator to the motor. 7

5. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a, strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor forguiding the strand onto the take-up reel in contiguous conreel and operated thereby, a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, and means connected with volutions, a generator connected to the take-up the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand.

6. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in contiguous convolutions, a generator connected to the take up reel and operated thereby, a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, and a torque motor connected to the supply reelfor maintaining a tension on the strand.

7. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in contiguous convolutions, a generator connected to the take-up reel and operated thereby, a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, and means connected with the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the 8. In a machine of the t5 pe described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in contiguous convolutions, a generator connected to the take-up reel and operated'thereby, a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, and means for applying a helically wrapped covering to the strand.

9. In a machine of the type described the comreel and operated thereby,,a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the genera- ,tor and the motor, means connected with the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, and means engaging the strand intermediate the reels for effecting movement of the strand in the direction of its length.

10. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a

operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, and means engaging the strand intermediate the reels for effecting movement of the strand in the direction of its length.

11. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in contiguous convolutions, a generator connected to the take-up reel and operated thereby, a motor for operating the distributor, connections between the generator and the motor, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, means engaging the strand intermediate the reels for effecting movement of the strand in the direction of its length, motor driven means for applying a helical wrap to the strand, a generator operated in accordance with the movement of the strand, and connections between the genreels and engaging said strand for effecting longitudinal movement thereof.

13. In a machine for wrapping heavy strands the combination comprising a strand supply reel, 3. power driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, means intermediate said reels and engaging said strand for effecting longitudinal movement thereof, said last mentioned means'comprising a large motor driven wheel and a pair ofidler wheels disposed on opposite sides thereof, the strand engaging but a portionof the periphery of each of said wheels.

14. In a machine for wrapping heavy strands the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a power driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, means intermediate said reels and engaging said strand for effecting longitudinal movement thereof, said last mentioned means comprising a large motor driven wheel and a pair of idler wheels disposed on opposite sides thereof, the strand engaging but a portion of the periphery of each of said wheels, motor driven means for applying a helically wrapped covering to the strand, a generator operated with the large motor driven wheel, and connections between the generator and said motor driven means;

.15. In a machine for wrapping heavy strands the combination comprising a strand supply reel,

a power driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, means intermediate said reels and engaging said strand for effecting longitu-- -thereof', the strand engaging but a portion of the periphery of each of said wheels, motor driven means for applying a helically wrapped covering to the strand, a generator operated with the large motor driven wheel, connections between the generator and said motor driven means, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel, 9. motor for operating the distributor, a generator operated with the take-up reel, and connections between the generator and said last mentioned motor.

16. In a machine for wrapping heavy strands the combination comprising a strand supply reel,

. a power driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel for maintaining a tension on the strand, means intermediate said reels and engaging said strand for effecting longitudinal movement thereof, said last mentioned means comprising a large motor driven wheel and a pair of idler wheels disposed on opposite sides thereof, the strand engaging but a portion of the periphery of each of said wheels, motor driven means for applying a helically wrapped covering to the strand, a generator operated with the large motor driven wheel, connections between the generator and said motor driven means, a' distributor for guiding the strand onto thet ake-up reel, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator oper-- ated with the take-up reel, means between the generator and said last mentioned motor, and means controlled by the distributor for reversing the connections between the generator and the motor at the end of the movement of the distributor in either direction.

17. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel to maintain a tension on the strand, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel, 2. motor for operating the distributor, a generator driven with the take-up reel, connections from the generator to said last mentioned motor, means in said connections and controlled by the movements ofthe distributor to effect reversal of the connectionsto the motor at the end of the stroke of the distributor in either direction, and manually controlled means in said connections for completely reversing them when the strand is operated in the reverse direction.

18. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel to maintain a tension on the strand, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator driven with the takee u p reel, connections from the generator to said last mentioned motor, means in said connections and controlled by the movements of the distributor to effect reversal of the connections to the motor at the end of the stroke of the distributor in either direction, manually controlled means in said connections for completely reversing them when the strand is operated in the reverse direction, and means for changing the connections to the torque motor on the supplyreel and the driving motor on the take-up reel whereby the torque motor drives the supply reel in a reverse direction and the driving motor for the take-up reel becomes a torque motor.

19. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a torque motor connected to the supply reel to maintain a tension on the strand, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator driven with the take-up reel, connections from the generator to said last mentioned motor, means in said connections and controlled by the movements of the distributor to effect reversal of the connections to the motor at the end of the stroke of the distributor in either direction, manually controlled means in said connections for completely reversing them when the strand is operated in the reverse direction, and means for changing the connections -to the torque motor on the supply reel and the driving motor on the take-up reel whereby the torque motor drives the supply reel in a reverse direction and the driving motor for the take-up reel becomes a torque motor, a motor driven wheel interposed between said reels and engaging the strand to effect longitudinal movement thereof, said wheel being disconnectable from said motor when the direction of movement of the strand is reversed.

20. In a strand feeding machine the combination comprising means for supporting a strand between spaced points for movement in the direction of its length, oppositely acting motive means connected to said means for placing the strand under tension, and means engaging the strand between said spaced points for effecting movement thereof in the direction of its length.

21. In a machine for advancing a strand in the direction of its length, the combination comprising supply and take-up means between which the strand extends, opposed motor means connected to said means for adjustably tensioning the strand, and means engaging the strand intermediate the supply and take-up means for efiecting movement of the strand.

22. In a machine of the type described the combination including a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in uniform layers, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator operated in conjunction with the take-up reel, and connections between the generator and motor whereby the distributor moves in proper relation to the movement of the take-up reel.

23. In a machine of the type described the combination including a strand supply reel, a motor driven take-up reel, a distributor for guiding the strand onto the take-up reel in uniform layers, a motor for operating the distributor, a generator operated at a speed proportional to the speed of movement of the take-up reel, and connections between the generator and motor.

EDWARD G. PARVIN. 

